Case Studies

Case study 1: Chronological resume#

Scenario: Person 1 is an experienced marketing professional with a consistent work history. They have held progressively responsible roles in marketing and wants to highlight their career growth.

In this case, a chronological resume would be appropriate. It allows person 1 to showcase their career progression and demonstrate their increasing level of responsibility over the years. By listing their work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with their most recent position, person 1 can emphasize their relevant accomplishments and the continuity of their professional growth.

Case study 2: Functional resume#

Scenario: Person 2 is a career changer who wants to transition from sales to human resources. Although they don't have direct HR experience, they have transferable skills gained through their sales roles.

For person 2, a functional resume would be more suitable. A functional resume focuses on skills and achievements rather than chronological work history. Since their work experience in sales is not directly related to HR, a functional resume allows them to highlight transferable skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and relationship building. By organizing their resume around relevant skills and accomplishments, person 2 can effectively demonstrate their qualifications for an HR position despite their limited direct experience in the field.

Case study 3: Combination resume#

Scenario: Person 3 is a seasoned project manager with a consistent work history and a range of valuable skills and accomplishments.

In this case, a combination resume would be appropriate. A combination resume combines elements of both chronological and functional formats. It allows them to showcase their career progression while also highlighting their key skills and achievements. By starting with a professional summary and skills section to capture the reader's attention, they can then present their work experience in reverse chronological order, emphasizing these accomplishments and skills have contributed to their success as a project manager.

Case study 4: Traditional career path#

Scenario: Person 4 has followed a traditional career path with a clear progression in his field. They have held roles with increasing responsibility and wants to showcase their career growth.

In this case, a chronological resume would be most appropriate since they have a straightforward career path with no major career changes or gaps. Person 4 can list their work experience in reverse chronological order, highlighting their achievements and responsibilities in each role. A chronological resume allows them to present a clear and cohesive picture of their career progression, making it easier for hiring managers to evaluate their qualifications.

Case study 5: Career transition#

Scenario: Person 5 is looking to transition from a marketing career to a UX design role. While they have some relevant experience and skills, their work history is not directly aligned with UX design.

For Person 5, a combination resume would be suitable. They can start with a skills or qualifications section, highlighting their relevant skills in UX design, such as user research, prototyping, and user interface design. Following the skills section, they can include a concise summary of their work experience, focusing on transferable skills and experiences that are relevant to UX design. This approach allows them to showcase their skills while also providing a brief overview of their career progression. By using a combination resume, person 5 can effectively present themselves as a viable candidate for a career transition.

Exercise#

Match the scenario to the resume format that would be most appropriate.